Cerritos College Welding Technology

WELDING TECHNOLOGY SAFETY POLICIES

WELCOME TO CALIFORNIAS LARGEST AND SAFEST COLLEGE WELDING PROGRAM

All students attending welding courses at Cerritos College must read and fully understand the safety policies of the
Welding Department. Students must follow all safety rules and procedures at all times while in the laboratory areas.
After you have been instructed in the following safety requirements, please fill out the Student Information Sheet, sign
it, date it and return it to your instructor. Your instructor will explain all laboratory safety policies applicable to your
class and if you have any further questions please ask your instructor. Thank you for your cooperation.
General Safety Information

To ensure a safe learning environment for all students, the following general safety instructions have been compiled
to inform you of the rules and regulations of the Welding Center. These practices and procedures are common in the
welding industry. The Department has Safety Data Sheets for each welding process as well as each type of fabrication
equipment. Each student will be given a written Safety Data Sheet, verbal instructions, and a live instructor
demonstration on the proper safety procedures, operation, and safety hazards associated with that specific type of
equipment. Each student will sign their name verifying that they have received both verbal and written safety
information, were provided with an instructor demonstration, and that they have had all of their safety questions
answered. This procedure and policy is required before students may use any type of equipment. Even after these
safety policies have been completed, some equipment like hydraulic shears may only be operated with the instructor
being present. Students must never cut or weld on a container that has held a flammable substance. All containers must
be assumed dangerous until proven otherwise. Always keep your mind on your work. Inattention may result in a
serious accident to you, your instructor, or fellow student. All metals should be considered hot. Report all accidents
and or injuries immediately to your instructor no matter how small they might be. Welding on any motor driven
vehicle is strictly prohibited. You must never grab or touch metals without gloves on. Never stand metal vertically,
hide it, or stack it on top of or underneath machines, equipment and or lockers. It could fall and cause serious injuries.
Because of liability and legal reasons, students cannot bring personal projects from home that need to be welded or
repaired. Students are not permitted to fabricate, weld, or cut on personal projects of any kind. Students may not
smoke, eat, listen to stereos or use cell phones in the lecture rooms or in the laboratory. Do not weld or flame cut on
or close to concrete floors or structures. This can cause the concrete to explode and cause personal injury.
Safety Glasses:

Safety glasses must be worn at all times in both the inside and outside welding laboratories. Safety glasses must be
worn under your welding hood while performing all welding and cutting operations. Both safety glasses and a clear
full face shield must be worn when using the pedestal grinders, belt sanders, angle grinders, and saws. All safety
glasses must have side shields, meet OHSA standards and comply with ANSI Z87.1. Safety glasses are designed to
protect your eyes from flying particles and objects. They do not protect your eyes from ultraviolet light produced by
electric arc welding processes. Safety glasses with a welding hood equipped with the appropriated number filter lens
must be used to watch or perform all electric arc welding operations.
Personal Equipment:

Students must wear appropriate protective clothing that is made of either 100% cotton or flame resistant material
like Nomex. Polyesters, nylons, and other synthetics must not be worn as they are flammable and will melt onto
your skin. Hard leather safety boots must be 6 inches minimum in height and preferably steel toed. High top boots
are highly recommended. No tennis type shoes are allowed in any laboratory area. Students may not borrow other
students tools or equipment without permission. The use of earplugs is recommended to protect you from the
noisy shop environment and may additionally protect your ears from sparks and debris when welding in the
overhead position or pipe welding out of position. Students must wear gloves when handling metals and especially
when handling sheet metals to avoid the possibility of lacerations.


Cerritos College Welding Technology
WELDING TECHNOLOGY SAFETY POLICIES PAGE 2

Lifting:

Cautious, thoughtful and correct lifting, moving, and handling of large, heavy welded assemblies is important
to ensure you and fellow students are not injured. Improper work habits can cause serious personal injury as
well as cause damage to equipment and materials. When you are lifting a heavy object, the weight of the
object should be distributed evenly between both hands and your legs should be used to lift, not your back.
Do not try to lift a large or bulky object without help if the object is heavier than you can lift with one hand.
Equipment:

Students are not permitted to weld or use equipment before or after class hours. Students may only work in
the laboratory during their official designated class hours and your instructor must be present during all
welding and cutting operations. Before students are allowed to use any machine or power equipment they
must be given operational safety instructions as well as an instructor demonstration. Read all safety
instructions posted on machines and equipment before use. Students are not allowed to use any power metal
fabrication equipment without their instructor being present. Students may not use any power equipment or
machine that is left unlocked without first asking for permission and having your instructor present. Students
are absolutely not permitted to use the Departments forklift. Only CCC forklift certified and licensed
personnel may operate the forklift. If a machine or piece of equipment is broken, malfunctioning, or not
working properly, please immediately inform your instructor so it can be fixed or tagged out of service.
Students must not attempt to repair, modify or remove safety devices from any equipment in the welding
laboratory. All repairs must be done by qualified personnel. All safety devices are for your protection.
Students using their own personal angle grinders are responsible for following the manufacturers safety
guidelines. The removal of the wheel guard is prohibited. The use of wire wheels on personal grinders is
prohibited because of the danger associated with flying wires and or objects.

Common Sense:

Remember if it doesnt look, smell, or sound right, it probably isnt. It is your responsibility to work safe, so
please, ask the question if you are unsure of the operation of any tool or piece of equipment found in the
laboratory. The only stupid question is the one that wasnt asked. Safety is job number one!
A Note On Safety From The Welding Staff:
Certified welders work in all kinds of environments like buildings, ships, refineries, power plants, and
fabrication shops. Most construction jobs and careers that are performed in the field have added safety
hazards. Careers in these environments while not as safe as a desk type job can be performed safely if you
always maintain an attitude of caution and safety. Most accidents and injuries are a result of not following
Safety Procedures or disregarding them all together. The instructors in the Welding Department have over
200 years of combined welding experience. Some instructors have been welding for over thirty years and are
in perfect health and dont own a pair of reading glasses. The instructors of this Department with the help of
our twenty plus Industry Advisory Committee Members have several meetings each year to update and
improve all safety aspects of our Program. Shop equipment is inspected every day. Instructors include safety
in every lecture and demonstration they perform. Our goal is to not just get you through our Program safely,
but to instill in each student a Life Long Attitude of Safety First that will ensure a safe, healthy, and successful
welding career.